Female Reproductive System: Anatomy and Function

• Reproductive organs, called genitals or genitalia are designed for intercourse and conception in both sexes.
• The female reproductive organs function in intercourse, reproduction, urination, pregnancy and childbirth.

Internal Female Anatomy

• Key components include the fimbriae, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, urinary bladder, pubic bone, clitoris, urethra, vagina, cervix, rectum, and suspensory ligament.

Ovary (Ovaries)

• These are two solid, egg-shaped structures attached to the uterus by ligaments, mirroring the male testicles.
• Ovaries store and release ova, the female egg cells; some ova disappear, while others remain dormant until puberty.
• They Produce the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Ova

• The female reproductive cell, and are the largest cells in the female body, about the size of a grain of sand.
• At birth, a female baby has about 200,000 ova in each ovary.
• Only 400-500 ova will mature and be released over a lifetime.

Estrogen

• Estrogen is the hormone responsible for secondary sex characteristics, sex drive, and the onset of puberty in women.
• Estrogen is responsible for ovulation.

Progesterone

• It builds up the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus.
• Plays a pivotal role in preparing the uterus for a fertilized ovum.

Ovulation

• Describes the event when an egg is released from the ovary, typically at puberty.
• The ovum moves to the ovary's surface and bursts out.
• The ova then enters the fallopian tube awaiting potential fertilization.
• This process repeats approximately every 28 days, usually around the 14th day of the cycle.

Fallopian Tubes (oviducts)

• There are two tubes attached to the uterus on each side.
• They are Roughly four inches in length and 3/16 inch in diameter, approximately the size of a cooked spaghetti noodle.
• The oviducts transport the egg cell to the uterus and the sperm to the egg cell.
• Fertilization occurs in the upper third of the oviduct.

Uterus

• The Uterus is a hollow, muscular organ, roughly the size of a fist and shaped like an upside-down pear.
• The uterus is lined with the endometrium, or blood lining
• Its primary function is to safeguard and nourish a fetus.
• Its walls can stretch to the dimensions of a small watermelon.
• Post-childbirth, the uterus needs 6-8 weeks to revert to its former size, and up to nine months to fully recover.

Cervix

• The cervix is the neck or opening of the uterus that dips approximately half an inch into the vagina.
• A normal, healthy cervix is the strongest muscle in the body and is usually plugged by mucus.
• It stays tightly closed during pregnancy, but it thins and opens for the delivery of the baby.

Vagina

• The vagina is an empty passageway from the vaginal opening to the uterus used for intercourse.
• The vagina is only 3-4 inches long, but lengthens during arousal.
• Its walls have many small folds of membrane that can stretch to accommodate a baby during birth.
• These walls also secrete a fluid that facilitates intercourse.

Urethra

• This is the opening to the bladder

Clitoris

• The clitoris is a small, pea-shaped bump at the front of the labia.
• It contains a small amount of erectile tissue.
• Its primary function is to increase sexual pleasure.

Woman's Cycle

• Day 1: Menstruation, or bleeding, starts.
• Day 5: Menstruation typically ends.
• Day 14: An ovum matures and leaves the ovary.
• Day 15: Within 24 hours, the egg is non viable.
• Day 26: Estrogen and progesterone levels decrease if fertilization doesn't occur
• The drop in hormones causes the endometrium lining to shed.

Female Timeline

• Ages 9-12: Secondary sex characteristics begin to appear
• Ages 11-14: Beginning of the menstrual cycle initiation.
• Late 20s to 30s: Peak sexual urges.
• Age 45-55: Experience menopause.

Male Reproductive System

• The male reproductive organs facilitates intercourse, reproduction, and urination

Scrotum

• A sac-like structure located behind the penis that holds each testes
• Primary role of the scrotum is to regulate temperature to maintain sperm production.

Testicles or Testes

• Small organs located in the scrotum which produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone.
• Testicles are male sex gland.
• They are located outside of the body to maintain a cooler temperature needed for growth and development of male sperm.
• The testicles counterpart to the female ovary.
• Losing one testes does not affect the function of the other.
• 4-5 billion sperm cells are produced each month.

Testosterone

• The male reproductive hormone made by the testicles which causes the changes of puberty
• Key role in the development of secondary sex characteristics, sperm production and sexual urges.
• Testosterone is produced in the testicles and enters the bloodstream at a relatively constant rate.

Sperm

• Microscopic cells produced by the male testicles, which can fertilize a female's ovum
• These are tiny, living cells, 100 times smaller than a pencil dot.
• They are the smallest cell in a man's body.
• Hypothetically, enough sperm would fit on the head of a pin to repopulate the earth if each sperm fertilized an egg.
• Sperm is destroyed by acidity and warm body temperature.
• They can survive in a women's body for 5-8 days.
• Any sperm not ejaculated is passed in the urine.

Epididymis

• Forms a mass over the back and upper part of each testes.
• Sperm is kept here for approximately 6 weeks where they are able to reach full maturity.

Cowper's Gland

• Two small pea-sized glands located beneath the prostate gland on both sides of the base of the penis.
• It secretes a clear, sticky fluid that neutralizes the acidity of the urethra.

Vas Deferens

• Two long, thin tubes that serve as a passageway for sperm and a place for sperm storage.
• Contraction of the vas deferens in conjunction with the actions of the facilitate transportation of sperm throughout the vas deferens.

Seminal Vesicles

• Two small glands that secrete fluid to nourish and facilitate the movement of sperm.

Prostate Gland

• Surrounds the urethra beneath the bladder.
• The prostate secretes an alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acid found in the male urethra and the female reproductive tract.
• Without the actions of the prostate secretions, sperm would not be able to survive and would die, hindering opportunity for fertilization of an ovum.

Urethra

• A dual-purpose tube that both semen and urine pass through to leave the body, but never mix.
• Enclosed and protected by special muscles or sphincters.
• During urination, one sphincter muscle relaxes to facilitate the release of urine from the bladder and out of the body.
• During ejaculation, a separate sphincter relaxes to facilitate the flow of semen from the urethra and outside of the body.

Penis

• The penis is the key external male sex organ designed for sexual intercourse, reproduction, and urination.
• Its primary function is to deposit semen into the vagina during sexual intercourse.
• The glans contains many nerve endings and is covered by a loosely fitting skin called the foreskin at birth.
• They range from 5-7 inches in length when erect.
• An erection is observed when the sponge-like chambers in the penis fill with blood.

Semen:

• The combination of fluids produced in the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and Cowper's gland.
• Its fluid nourishes sperm and facilitates sperm movement through the urethra.

Ejaculation

• The passage of sperm from the penis, a result of a series of muscular contractions.

Male Timeline

• Infancy: Erections will begin
• Ages 11-14: Secondary sex characteristics appear.
• Ages 11-14: Sperm production begins in adult amounts also known as puberty.
• Late teens: Peak sexual urges begin.
• Throughout life: If good health is present, there is a continued sex urge and the ability to father children.

Explore the intricacies of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. Learn about the roles of estrogen and progesterone, as well as the development and release of ova. Understand the key anatomical components essential for reproduction and overall female health.